Friday, July 20, 2012

Napoleonic Wars Timeline

One of the most momentous and significant series of conflicts in the history of Europe were the Wars of Napoleon. They involved not only tremendous loss of life and massive destruction, but amazing displays of strategic and tactical genius. Above all is the larger-than-life character of the egotist, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps, by Jacques Lloyd-David, 1801AD.

The idea of this post is to present an outline of the conflicts that I put together, interspersed with a few clips from the mini-series Napoleon, that portray, with acceptable accuracy, some of the great battles and moments in the career of Napoleon Bonaparte. They are all in French, but you should get the idea, even if you can't follow all of the dialogue.

The Wars of Napoleon

French Directory (1795-1799)

1796

Mar: Napoleon “marries” Josephine.

Mar: Napoleon appointed commander of French forces in Italy.

Napoleon commanding French troops at the Battle of Arcole against Austrian forces in Italy.

Aug: Spain allies with France.

1797

Jan: Napoleon defeats Austrians at Rivoli in Italy.

Feb: Spanish defeated at sea at Cape St. Vincent.

Oct: Treaty of Campo Formio: Austria leaves
the war.End of the First
Coalition.

1798

May—Aug: Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt.

Aug: Nelson defeats French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.

Aug: Pius VI dies.

French
Consulate (1799-1804)

1799

Second Coalition against France takes to the field.

Nov: Napoleon takes power in France as First Consul.

1800

Mar: Pope Pius VII
elected in Venice.

June: Napoleon defeats the Austrians at Marengo in Italy.

1801

Treaty of Lunéville: Austria leaves the war.Effective end of the Second Coalition.

Concordat of 1801: Treaty between Pope Pius VII and Napoleon.

1802

May: Treaty of Amiens:
Tenuous peace between the United Kingdom and France.

1803

May: Resumption of war between the United Kingdom and
France.Third Coalition formed.

French Empire (1804-1815)

1804

Dec: Napoleon crowned Emperor of the French, Napoleon I

1805

Oct: Austrian army under Mack surrenders at Ulm in Germany.

Oct: Nelson smashed Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Dec: Napoleon decisively defeats Austro-Russian army at the Battle ofAusterlitz.

The Battle of the Three Emperors: Austerlitz.

Dec: Treaty of Pressburg: Austria leaves the war.Effective end of the Third Coalition.